Godly Leadership: The Heart of Church Eldership

 

Summary

In our study of 1 Timothy chapter 3, we delve into the heart of what it means to be a leader in the church. The church is not a human invention; it is a divine gift, a precious assembly that God has graciously given us. As such, the leadership within the church is of paramount importance, not because of their abilities or accomplishments, but because of their character and godliness. God is deeply concerned with the character of those who lead His people, and this is evident in the qualifications laid out for elders in the church.

The desire to lead is not only commendable but necessary. It is a noble task to aspire to church leadership, and those who do so must be eager to serve, teach, and shepherd the flock of God. The role of an elder is multifaceted, encompassing the duties of leading, feeding, and caring for the church. Elders provide sound direction, sound doctrine, and sound living. They are stewards of God's household, managing it according to His instructions, and they are teachers, entrusted with delivering the truth of God's Word and exposing error.

The qualifications for eldership are not a list of tasks to perform but a portrait of godliness to embody. Elders must be above reproach, faithful to their spouses, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, and not given to vices such as drunkenness or violence. They must manage their households well, as this is the proving ground for their ability to lead the church. The family life of an elder is a display of his character and his fitness for church leadership.

The dangers that elders face are real and significant. They must not be new converts, lest they become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. They must also have a good reputation with outsiders, maintaining a beautiful witness to the world. The devil seeks to discredit the gospel by discrediting those who teach it, and we must be vigilant in praying for our elders and ensuring that they are qualified for the noble task they undertake.

Jesus Christ is the ultimate elder, the Chief Shepherd who laid down His life for His sheep. He is the model of leadership we aspire to, and it is in His footsteps that elders are called to walk. As we consider the role of elders in the church, let us do so with a heart of gratitude for those who serve and a prayerful spirit for their continued faithfulness.

Key Takeaways:

- Elders are not merely leaders; they are shepherds who care deeply for the flock. Their authority is not domineering but stewardship, reflecting the servant leadership of Christ. The church must support and encourage its elders, recognizing the weight of their responsibility and the depth of their love for God's people. [01:01:56]

- The qualifications for eldership are a reflection of God's values. They emphasize character over capability, godliness over giftedness. As we aspire to leadership or support those in leadership, we must prioritize these divine values, seeking to cultivate a life that is pleasing to God. [01:03:06]

- The church is a community that requires sound leadership. Elders are tasked with providing direction, doctrine, and living that align with God's Word. Their role is crucial in maintaining the health and growth of the church, and their selection must be undertaken with great care and discernment. [01:04:04]

- The family is the proving ground for potential elders. How a man leads and cares for his household reveals his ability to shepherd God's church. This intimate sphere of life offers a glimpse into the character and faithfulness of those who aspire to church leadership. [01:15:41]

- The call to eldership is a noble task, one that should be approached with both aspiration and humility. It is a role that demands a life lived in submission to God, reflecting His love and grace to the church and the world. As we consider the role of elders, let us do so with a heart that seeks to honor God above all. [49:56]

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1 Timothy 3:1-7 (ESV)
> "The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil."

#### Observation Questions
1. What are the specific qualifications listed for an elder in 1 Timothy 3:1-7?
2. According to the sermon, why is the character of church leaders more important than their abilities or accomplishments? [40:02]
3. What are the three primary duties of an elder as described in the sermon? [52:00]
4. How does the family life of an elder serve as a proving ground for his ability to lead the church? [36:29]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. Why does Paul emphasize that an elder must not be a recent convert? What dangers does this help to avoid? [36:35]
2. How does the requirement for elders to be "above reproach" impact the overall health and witness of the church? [41:28]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that the role of an elder reflects the servant leadership of Christ? [57:00]
4. How does the sermon explain the importance of an elder having a good reputation with outsiders? [36:42]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on the qualifications for eldership. Are there any areas in your own life where you feel called to grow in godliness? How can you take steps to develop these qualities? [41:28]
2. The sermon mentions that elders should not be quarrelsome but gentle. How can you practice gentleness in your interactions with others, especially in situations of conflict? [13:02]
3. Elders are called to be hospitable. How can you open your home and life to others in a way that reflects Christ's love? What practical steps can you take this week to show hospitality? [12:01]
4. The family is described as a proving ground for potential elders. How can you better manage and care for your household in a way that honors God? [36:29]
5. The sermon emphasizes the importance of praying for church leaders. How can you commit to regularly praying for the elders in your church? What specific prayers can you offer for their character and ministry? [24:02]
6. Considering the dangers that elders face, such as pride and the devil's snares, how can you support and encourage your church leaders to remain humble and vigilant? [36:35]
7. Jesus is described as the ultimate elder and Chief Shepherd. How can you model your own leadership and service after Christ's example of humility and sacrifice? [26:00]

Devotional

Day 1: Stewardship Reflects Servant Leadership
The role of an elder in the church is not one of domineering power but of humble stewardship. Elders are called to shepherd the flock with care and love, mirroring the servant leadership exemplified by Christ. This responsibility is a sacred trust, where the authority granted is exercised in service and guidance rather than control. Elders are to be examples to the congregation, living out the gospel in their daily interactions and decisions. Their leadership is a testament to the sacrificial love of Jesus, who came not to be served but to serve. The church, recognizing the weight of this responsibility, must offer support and encouragement to its leaders, acknowledging the depth of their commitment to God's people. [01:01:56]

"But we request of you, brothers, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another." - 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 (ESV)

Reflection: How can you actively support and encourage your church leaders in their role as stewards this week?

Day 2: Character Over Capability in Leadership
The qualifications for eldership in the church underscore a vital principle: character is paramount over capability. It is not the skills or talents that one possesses that qualify them for leadership, but their godliness and moral integrity. These qualifications are a reflection of God's values, emphasizing a life that is above reproach, faithful, self-controlled, and hospitable. As individuals aspire to leadership or support those in leadership, it is essential to prioritize these divine values, cultivating a life that is pleasing to God and reflective of His character. [01:03:06]

"For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined." - Titus 1:7-8 (ESV)

Reflection: What is one area of your character that you feel God is calling you to develop further in service to Him and others?

Day 3: Sound Leadership for a Healthy Church
Elders play a crucial role in the life of the church, providing sound leadership that aligns with the Word of God. They are tasked with offering clear direction, teaching sound doctrine, and exemplifying a godly lifestyle. The health and growth of the church community depend on the presence of such leadership. Therefore, the selection of elders must be approached with great care and discernment, ensuring that those who lead are equipped to handle the Word of God faithfully and to guide the congregation in truth. [01:04:04]

"Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood." - Acts 20:28 (ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you contribute to ensuring that your church's leadership remains sound and aligned with God's Word?

Day 4: The Family as a Proving Ground
The family serves as the proving ground for those aspiring to be elders in the church. How a man leads and cares for his household offers a glimpse into his ability to shepherd God's church. The way an elder manages his family life is a display of his character and his fitness for church leadership. It is within the context of family that one's patience, love, discipline, and hospitality are most transparently seen. Therefore, the church must consider the family dynamics of potential leaders as an indicator of their readiness to take on the responsibilities of eldership. [01:15:41]

"He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?" - 1 Timothy 3:4-5 (ESV)

Reflection: How does the way you manage your household or personal relationships reflect your ability to serve within the church?

Day 5: Aspiring to Eldership with Humility
The call to serve as an elder is a noble task, one that should be approached with both aspiration and humility. It is a role that demands a life lived in submission to God, reflecting His love and grace to the church and the world. Those who aspire to this role must do so with a heart that seeks to honor God above all, understanding the gravity of the responsibility and the need for a humble, teachable spirit. As the church considers the role of elders, it is with a heart of gratitude for their service and a prayerful spirit for their continued faithfulness. [49:56]

"Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for 'God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.'" - 1 Peter 5:5 (ESV)

Reflection: If you aspire to a leadership role in the church, how can you cultivate a heart of humility and service in your current sphere of influence?

Quotes

1) "The desire to lead God's people is not wrong. We want, in fact, elders who want to be elders. If an elder is begrudgingly serving the church, I don't think the church will be loved well or cared for well." [49:56] (Download | )

2) "The elder is a steward of God's household. He must manage the house according to the instructions given to him by the Lord of the house. That's what the leadership looks like." [57:10] (Download | )

3) "An elder is to give forth the word of God. Again, Paul says in Titus chapter one, he must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it was taught so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it." [01:00:55] (Download | )

4) "The devil seeks to discredit the gospel by discrediting those who teach it. It brings great harm to our cause when our elders fall into disgrace, doesn't it? And that's what the devil's after." [01:23:48] (Download | )

5) "The essential requirements laid before us, and there are many, is not of giftedness, but of godliness. It's not a matter of their preaching skills or extroverted personality, their administrative capacity. It's not what they can do, but who they are." [01:03:06] (Download | )

6) "The church is valuable and precious to God... And because the church is valuable to him, the call to lead her and to protect her is a noble task, he says. But it is a task. It is a job." [50:56] (Download | )

7) "If you want to know if a man is qualified to lead God's people, one of the places you look is you look at his children. You look at his home. And because the family life is a display of his ability and his character, it is the proving ground for the leadership in the church starts in the home." [01:15:41] (Download | )

8) "Every church in the New Testament has elders. You cannot find a church in your New Testament that does not have elders... And since every church has elders, Paul here is very helpful for us in explaining what I would consider four different aspects of an elders ministry." [44:45] (Download | )

9) "It's not that the elders can't be drunks, but the rest of you can be. OK, no, this actually applies to you as well in many ways. And so the qualifications of an elder, I think larger than the qualifications of a Christian." [46:03] (Download | )

10) "The church always has in every New Testament church always has a plurality of elders that there's never just one single elder over a church. And the danger of just having one elder or one pastor is they'll create a little little pope dumb, if you will." [56:12] (Download | )

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Transcript
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